26 August, 2006
GISELE, JEANNY, REMY, MARIE
Gisele lives with her family just minutes from Batey Cojobal. Her story is like so many of BRA’s HIV/AIDS patients. Dominican-born with Haitian parents, she has spent her life in destitute poverty. She has known that she was HIV positive since she was pregnant with the fifth of her eight children, but kept it a secret. Fearing that her abusive husband would kill her if he found out, she destroyed her test results. After years of secrecy Gisele, came to the clinic for a free confirmatory HIV test. What made her come? Perhaps it was because she and three of her youngest children were sick all the time or perhaps it was because of the numerous visits she received from Victoria Olguin, one of the dedicated health promoters working with BRA’s mobile clinic. Now, with BRA’s help, Gisele is starting to regain her life. Like all of our AIDS patients, she receives free medical attention from the mobile clinic. Every fifteen days, she travels to BRA’s Health Center in Cinco Casas with her children where they receive antiretroviral treatment. Her two youngest sons and one of her identical twin daughters also have AIDS. At Cinco Casas, they receive specialized pediatric care from Consuelo, one of the physicians working with the Clinton Foundation. Just a week ago, we rushed Marie to the local hospital to be treated with acute respiratory infection. The AIDS Patient Fund provided this family with food and transportation and covers the cost of medical emergencies like Marie’s illness. Gisele also receives counseling at Cinco Casas from a professional psychologist through the Clinton Foundation that is helping her confront her illness as well as the domestic violence she faces. Our program has also helped her connect to other women with HIV/AIDS who can provide each other with mutual support. When Gisele first tested positive, she sat in the Mobile Clinic weeping. She imagined that the future would be even worse than the present. Now because of BRA she has regained the health and confidence to care for herself and her children.
